Early gigs of the most powerful actors and actresses

Forbes ranks these actors and actresses as some of the most powerful celebrities in the world. But even though some of them have celebrity parents, they didn’t just wake up one day with all the power in the world.

We’ve rounded up some of their earliest roles, from before they were household names.

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Did you know there was a “Ferris Bueller” TV series? Well, there was, in 1986, and Jennifer Aniston was in it. She played Bueller’s sister, Jeannie.

Did you know there was a “Ferris Bueller” TV series? Well, there was, in 1986, and Jennifer Aniston was in it. She played Bueller’s sister, Jeannie.

Photo: NBC / NBC via Getty Images

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Ben Affleck was around long before “Good Will Hunting” made him and Matt Damon truly famous. He started out playing a random kid in “The Dark End of the Street” in 1981 and starred in an ABC after-school special. less

Ben Affleck was around long before “Good Will Hunting” made him and Matt Damon truly famous. He started out playing a random kid in “The Dark End of the Street” in 1981 and starred in an ABC ... more

Photo: ABC Photo Archives / ABC via Getty Images

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One of Sandra Bullock’s first roles was in the 1989 made-for-TV movie “Bionic Showdown: The Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman.”

One of Sandra Bullock’s first roles was in the 1989 made-for-TV movie “Bionic Showdown: The Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman.”

Photo: Time & Life Pictures / Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

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Charlize Theron played a “young woman” in the 1995 film “Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest.”

Charlize Theron played a “young woman” in the 1995 film “Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest.”

Photo: Gallo Images / Getty Images

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In 1970, when Robert Downey Jr. was 5 years old, he played a puppy in “Pound,” a movie about puppies made by his father.
Check out the video below.

In 1970, when Robert Downey Jr. was 5 years old, he played a puppy in “Pound,” a movie about puppies made by his father.
Check out the video below.

Photo: Kypros / Getty Images

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Sofia Vergara was on “Baywatch” once, plus Stanley Tucci sucked on her toes when she played a maid in the 2002 comedy “Big Trouble.”

Sofia Vergara was on “Baywatch” once, plus Stanley Tucci sucked on her toes when she played a maid in the 2002 comedy “Big Trouble.”

Photo: Ron Galella / WireImage

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Adam Sandler played Smitty on “The Cosby Show” from 1987-88.

Adam Sandler played Smitty on “The Cosby Show” from 1987-88.

Photo: Ron Galella / WireImage

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Channing Tatum had a part in CSI:Miami in 2004.

Channing Tatum had a part in CSI:Miami in 2004.

Photo: Gregory Pace / FilmMagic

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Marky Mark’s first acting role was in a 1993 made-for-TV movie called “The Substitute.”

Marky Mark’s first acting role was in a 1993 made-for-TV movie called “The Substitute.”

Photo: Tim Roney / Getty Images

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Gwyneth Paltrow had one kissing scene in the 1991 John Travolta film “Shout.”

Gwyneth Paltrow had one kissing scene in the 1991 John Travolta film “Shout.”

Photo: Time & Life Pictures / Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

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Hugh Jackman, here with Greg Kinnear in 1990, played Charles “Chicka” McCray in the TV crime drama “Law of the Land” in 1994.

Hugh Jackman, here with Greg Kinnear in 1990, played Charles “Chicka” McCray in the TV crime drama “Law of the Land” in 1994.

Photo: Time & Life Pictures / Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

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Before he became Doogie Howser, MD, Neil Patrick Harris played young Billy in the 1988 film “Purple People Eater.”

Before he became Doogie Howser, MD, Neil Patrick Harris played young Billy in the 1988 film “Purple People Eater.”

Photo: Nancy R. Schiff / Getty Images

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Jennifer Lawrence is living the high life now thanks to “The Hunger Games.” But one of her earlier roles is as a “frantic girl” in the 2007 made-for-TV movie “Not Another High School Show.”

Jennifer Lawrence is living the high life now thanks to “The Hunger Games.” But one of her earlier roles is as a “frantic girl” in the 2007 made-for-TV movie “Not Another High School Show.”

Photo: Mirek Towski / WireImage

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Any child of the 90s remembers Will Smith’s first acting role. Smith played himself in the popular sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”

Any child of the 90s remembers Will Smith’s first acting role. Smith played himself in the popular sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”

Photo: NBC / NBC via Getty Images

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Meryl Streep wrote her own lines for one of her earliest roles, as Linda in 1978’s “The Deer Hunter.”

Meryl Streep wrote her own lines for one of her earliest roles, as Linda in 1978’s “The Deer Hunter.”

Photo: Archive Photos / Getty Images

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Tom Cruise's first film role was inspiring the lead character to set a house on fire in “Endless Love,” 1981.

Tom Cruise's first film role was inspiring the lead character to set a house on fire in “Endless Love,” 1981.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives

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Dwayne Johnson – Everyone knows about his illustrious wrestling career, but “The Rock” also had a part in Star Trek: Voyager in 2000.

Dwayne Johnson – Everyone knows about his illustrious wrestling career, but “The Rock” also had a part in Star Trek: Voyager in 2000.

Photo: Arnaldo Magnani / Getty Images

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Angelina Jolie was just a little girl when she played the daughter of her real father – Jon Voight’s character – in the 1982 film “Lookin’ to Get Out.” Here she is in 1986.

Angelina Jolie was just a little girl when she played the daughter of her real father – Jon Voight’s character – in the 1982 film “Lookin’ to Get Out.” Here she is in 1986.

Photo: Fotos International / Getty Images

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Kristin Stewart started out as “girl in fountain line” in a 1999 TV movie, “The Thirteenth Year,” and played “ring toss girl” in 2000’s “The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas.” Here she is in 2001, filming “Panic Room” with Jodie Foster. less

Kristin Stewart started out as “girl in fountain line” in a 1999 TV movie, “The Thirteenth Year,” and played “ring toss girl” in 2000’s “The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas.” Here she is in ... more

Photo: Tom Kingston / WireImage

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Leonardo DiCaprio – Played Glen in “The New Lassie” in 1989. He also played one of Darlene’s classmates on "Roseanne" in 1991.

Leonardo DiCaprio – Played Glen in “The New Lassie” in 1989. He also played one of Darlene’s classmates on "Roseanne" in 1991.

Photo: Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic

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Mila Kunis once attended Ranger Teen Camp in an episode of “Walker, Texas Ranger.” Oh, and she was on Baywatch. Of course.

Mila Kunis once attended Ranger Teen Camp in an episode of “Walker, Texas Ranger.” Oh, and she was on Baywatch. Of course.